“What makes California great is our commitment to both economic growth and the stewardship of our environment,” Packard said during the presentation. “We know—and we’ve proved time and again—that you don’t have to sacrifice the environment to build a strong economy. And we know that the natural bounty of our state should benefit all Californians.”

Assemblymember Garcia, whose 56th District includes parts of Riverside and Imperial counties, received the honor for his sponsorship of climate-related policy, including AB 398 and SB 5. Garcia authored AB 398, signed by Governor Jerry Brown last July, which extends and improves California’s cap-and-trade program, helping our state continue to meet its ambitious climate action goals. Garcia also played a key role in bringing a $4 billion park and water bond proposal to California voters, joining Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de León in putting the measure on the June 2018 ballot. If voters approveProposition 68, the bond will fund projects to help ensure clean drinking water; safeguard our state’s oceans, rivers, lakes and streams; and build new outdoor spaces in neighborhoods.

Assemblymember Stone represents the 29th District, which includes parts of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and Monterey counties. The award acknowledged his efforts to advance a number of issues important to the ocean and coasts, including laws curbing illegal coastal development, reducing plastic pollution and cleaning up drinking water supplies. As Chair of the Select Committee on Coastal Protection and Access to Natural Resources, Stone held hearings on oil spill prevention efforts, plastic pollution, beach erosion and coastal access for all Californians. He also serves on the state’s Ocean Protection Council.

In addition to the accomplishments of the two Ocean Champions, Packard highlighted several other actions California took for ocean health in 2017, including the state’s lead role in formation of the U.S. Climate Alliance, and its opposition to new oil and gas drilling off the West Coast.

Monterey Bay Aquarium presents the Ocean Champion Award annually to outstanding California leaders. The award is part of the aquarium’s work toinspire and inform government decision-makers to take science-based action on behalf of the ocean.

About Monterey Bay Aquarium

The mission of the nonprofit Monterey Bay Aquarium is to inspire conservation of the ocean. It is the most respected public aquarium in North America, and an innovator in living exhibits, public programs and social media–engaging nearly two million visitors a year and millions more around the world. It is a leader in science education, creating programs for young people and the adults who guide them as it nurtures a new generation of science-literate, conservation-minded young people to tackle the environmental challenges of the 21st century. And it is an influential global voice for ocean conservation, combining active programs in marine science, with policy initiatives and public outreach to secure the future of the ocean. Its science is the foundation for the sustainable seafood movement worldwide, and integrated with its policy and outreach programs, is shaping a sustainable future for global fisheries and aquaculture. Learn more at montereybayaquarium.org.